YOUNG WOMEN-- NEW BEGINNINGS

I need help! I am in charge of giving a talk at New Beginnings about the young women's program. I am supposed to talk about some of the "rules" that the girls need to be aware of. My problem is I don't want to come off as an ogre, or too soft that they don't get what I'm trying to accomplish. Any ideas out there? I have to give the talk this coming Wednesday!
I was thinking of having someone call and text me right in the middle of my talk and then say how hard it is for our teachers to teach when the girls are texting. I want it to be kind of a fun talk.

HOW MANY OF YOU ARE THERE OUT THERE?

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Rusty's Funeral

First I want to thank everyone for their prayers and thoughtfulness. We as a family have truly been blessed by friends, church members, and those who knew Rusty but we didn't know. There has been so much service received to my parent-in-laws, we are so grateful and blessed!
The funeral was held this past Saturday, at our ward building. What a beautiful service, Dave's mom gave the life sketch and did such a wonderful job explaining some of the trials that Rusty had his whole life. She talked of how he loved going into the woods and just roaming. He loved to collect arrowheads, and just being in nature was such a joy to him.
Dave, Darren, DeeDee and our niece Charlotte sang Amazing Grace. I have never heard it sung the way they did. It sounded like the angels were there. I know I can be biased because they are my relatives but if you could hear it I think you would all agree!
Rusty's 3 kids talked and shared their memories with us. They did such an awesome job. They are doing as well as can be expected. I know they don't read my blog but just in case, I want them to know how much Dave and I love them. They are great kids. Dustin and Cassie have married really neat people that have carried them through this. Little Dave has great friends that we are also grateful for.
We had the burial in Alpine, it was such a beautiful day there, just like Rusty would have loved to be at.
We know that he is at peace, we have read many articles concerning suicide, and we know that our Heavenly Father is so merciful and loving. He is the only one who can do any judging. We are so blessed to have the gospel in our lives. Thank you again for all of your comments, I am so blessed to have all of you in our lives.

IN LOVING MEMORY

This past Saturday afternoon Dave's older brother, Rusty, took his own life. He has been depressed but we had no idea how bad it had gotten. He was holding down a job and had an apartment. He had gone into work last week sick and decided to go home at half shift. When he went back the next day he was fired. I guess they were laying people off anyways and this was their way of doing it to Rusty. Then when he got to his apartment there was an eviction notice on the door. Dave and I didn't know any of this till we got to the hospital. He has had a pretty hard life and though a lot of it was caused by the decisions he made, he was still a big part of our family.
He was a really good uncle to our kids, and tried to be a good brother. I hope that he is finding peace now.
I hope that people will not judge his actions to take his life. He had to be feeling pretty desolate and alone to do something so drastic. He is a child of God and God is the only one who can know what was in his heart.
I feel so bad that I was critical of him at times, but Dave stood by him every step of the way. We loaned him money when we could and got him groceries if he needed it.
He will be greatly missed, and I hope that my family can take this and learn from it. I want us to be a more caring, thoughtful, service minded, and closer family.
Those who have shared their condolences already we so appreciate it. We love you all!
I hope this didn't sound to rambled but you know me and my thoughts!!?!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVE

TODAY IS DAVE'S 47TH BIRTHDAY AND SINCE I DID THE 21 TRIBUTE FOR OUR ANNIVERSARY I THOUGHT I WOULD DO AN A-Z TRIBUTE.

1.AMAZING
2.AWESOME
3.BRAVE
4.BRILLIANT
5.CARING
6.COURAGEOUS
7.DEPENDABLE
8.DARING
9.EXCITING
10.ENTHUSIASTIC
11.FUN
12.FANTASTIC
13.GORGEOUS
14.GREAT
15.HANDSOME
16.HANDYMAN
17.INCREDIBLE
18.IMITATOR
19.JOKER
20.JOYFUL
21.KIND
22.KID
23.LISTENER
24.LIKABLE
25.MASCULINE
26.MACHO
27.NICE
28.NOBLE
29.OBEDIENT
30.OVERSEER
31.PRIESTHOOD
32.PATRIARCH
33.QUIET
34.QUACKY
35.REVERENT
36.RESPONSIBLE
37.SEXY
38.SIBLING
39.TERRIFIC
40.TEACHER
41.UNDERSTANDING
42.UNCLE
43.VENTUROUS
44.WITTY
45.X-TRODINARY
46.YOUTHFUL
47.ZESTY

MY EYES R GREEEEAAAAAAAT

As I am writing this I am not wearing my glasses!!! My prescription is way to strong now!!! I am now legal to drive without the aid of glasses. I think I will still need to have glasses but they won't be near as strong. My old glasses are so blurry now, I can't believe the difference! I am so excited for this new change! You all have been so supportive, thank you so much!
I hope everyone of you has a wonderful and exciting New Year. I hope that it brings joy and much happiness to you and your families. Love ya all!!

21 AWESOME WEDDED YEARS!!!

Tomorrow is our 21st anniversary and I just want everyone to know how much I LOVE this AWESOME guy!!!!! Here are my 21 tributes to Dave:

1. Who else could put up with the "Queen of Blondes"?!
2. He is an AWESOME dad and husband!
3. He is so spiritual and holds his priesthood responsibilities sacred!
4. He treats me like a Queen and shows me that everyday!
5. He is a good provider for our family!
6. He is the biggest 46 year old kid I know!
7. He is so DANG handsome!!!!!!!
8. He is my safe haven and protector!
9. He is my best friend that I can tell things to no matter what it is!
10. He makes my heart jump a beat whenever I see him!
11. He cooks dinner often, and makes incredible meals!
12. He encourages me to be the best I can be!
13. He gives me massages and foot rubs!
14. He helps with the housework whenever he can!
15. He is the most kind hearted and sensitive person!
16. He really listens to me when I talk to him!
17. He gave me 5 awesome kids!
18. He is the funniest person and does great imitations of people!
19. He takes me out on date nights!
20. He is so Freakin handsome--did I already mention that?!
And last but not least
21. I LOVE YOU DAVID SKOUSEN, you are my world!! I am so blessed to have you in
my life!

No Surgery Tomorrow, BUMMER

I was just informed today that my surgery had to be postponed because of the bad weather in Flagstaff. The doctor can't make it to Show Low so I did reschedule for December 30. I will have to go to Flagstaff again. Hopefully the weather will be good for me to travel in. I will update later!

Happenings

I will be having cataract surgery on my left eye this coming Thursday. I am so excited to see if it will do the same thing the right eye did! It is so amazing to me to be able to see the clock from my bed or to see tv ads without glasses. I have really taken for granted my sight I guess.
Some bumming news for our Skyler. He tried out for the 8th grade basketball team this past week. He had gone to all of the open gyms they had and really worked hard. He got passed the first cuts and then got cut on the last one. I am really disappointed in the selection process. I know he is still trying to grow into his 6 foot 2 inch body and is still a little awkward but the boy is going to be at least 6 7" when he's through growing. He just needed the chance to be on the team to learn. He didn't need to be the starting player, he just wanted a chance. I had talked to one of the coaches last year when he didn't make it and he told me that if he made every open gym and tryout he would be on the team this year. I guess its who you are, which is really sad, especially for the kids like Skyler. He has been a real trooper about it, so I give him big kudos for that.
We finally got our Christmas tree up! The kids were a little miffed at me for not having it up on Thanksgiving day. Dave put some lights up outside so we that we won't be exiled by our neighborhood!
Hope your week goes well.

TWILIGHT

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Another Eye Update

Well I had cataract surgery this past Tuesday in Flagstaff. It went way better than the last 2 surgeries I have had! I went to Dr. Blair and he said that my vision is now 20/30 in my right eye!!!!!!! I had been 20/200, and still am that way in my left eye. I have decided to have my left eye done now. There is a very high risk that it could detach also, but he thinks if we go in and tack everything down in my eye before the cataract surgery that it will have a better chance of not detaching. I can't tell you how exciting this is. I have worn glasses since I was in first grade and I have never been this low before. I can actually see the clock without my glasses on for the first time! I will let you all know more when I go in next week for my appointment.

My Castle Profile

The Castle Personality Test

You have no problem diving into new experiences. You're so brave that you don't even notice how courageous you are. You like to think that people see you as dramatic and fascinating. You do your best to seem mysterious. You are a very romantic person. You can't help but see the world as it should be. Right now, stress occasionally makes you feel trapped in your life. You usually have a clear perspective on things though! Overall, your life is calm and steady. Not much stirs you, and each day is full of joy. You feel like the fate of the future partially rests in your hands. You believe you need to help make the world a better place.

The Castle Personality Test